The WTA Hobart International gets underway on Monday with the defending champion, McCartney Kessler, in action against Olga Danilovic. It is among seven other matches scheduled for the first day. We examine three of those encounters in this piece and offer our predictions on which will advance. We also predict the other four matches in a separate article.

WTA Hobart Day 1 Predictions
Emiliana Arango vs Antonia Ruzic

Head–to–Head:  First Meeting

Emiliana Arango aims to reboot her form in Hobart after winning only one of her last seven matches. She was comfortably defeated in her first 2026 match in Brisbane and lost to Antonia Ruzic in the Wuhan qualifier last October.

However, the Croatian has also struggled in recent main-draw events and fell at the first hurdle in Brisbane’s qualifying and with neither player in good form, the outcome may hinge on who settles first.

Their October encounter was close under similar conditions, and Arango should be more driven to turn the tide.
Prediction: Arango in 3

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro vs Taylah Preston

Head–to–Head: First Meeting

Jessica Bouzas Maneiro arrives off a United Cup victory over Coco Gauff and sits 163 places above Taylah Preston, who will be playing her tenth WTA main-draw match, seeking only her third win and her first since 2024.

Preston is expected to show grit, and with the crowd behind her, she should at least win a set. If the Spaniard is locked in, the outcome is certain.
Prediction: Bouzas Maneiro in 3

McCartney Kessler vs Olga Danilovic

Head–to–Head: First Meeting

McCartney Kessler opens her Hobart title defense against Olga Danilović. The second seed aims to crack the top 30 in the coming weeks and needs a strong run here to defend her ranking point losses.

Kessler faces world No. 67 Danilović in their first meeting.  The American has already hit the ground running in 2026, and she should be the sharper player against Danilovic, who is playing her first match of the season.
Prediction: Kessler in 3

Main Photo Credit: Taya Gray/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images